Sleep disturbance in children and their families across the continuum of care

Sleep of adequate quality and quantity is necessary for the optimal growth, development, and health of children experiencing acute and chronic illness. Parents of children with medical complexity (critically ill and/or technology dependent) are at risk of the negative effects of sleep deprivation as a consequence of their exceptional caregiving demands. This symposium will describe the findings of studies that have examined sleep in children and family caregivers across the continuum of paediatric health care. Results of studies using objective measurement of sleep will be described; highlighting implications for child health practice, policy and research.